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Natural Perspective

The Fungus Kingdom: Clathrus

(Last modified: 4 May 2015)

Latticed Stinkhorn (Clathrus ruber).

The latticed stinkhorn, though beautiful, is not readily admired by people who see it in the flesh. In fact, the slimy spore sacs and putrid smell evoke reactions far from admiration. Yet its beauty remains for those who can endure the olfactory assault or those, like you, who need only look at its printed likeness.

These fine specimens were collected for the San Francisco Mycological Society's Fungus Fair, December 1995. The eggs were found growing in wood chips among Nasturtiums. We arranged them in a basket to mimic their original habitat.

The fact that we found "eggs" just about to hatch was very fortuitous indeed. Not only did it provide this opportunity to photograph the sequence of growth and decline, but it also enabled us to transport them safely. The mature body is extremely fragile.

The entire process, from egg to end took around 10 days in very damp weather.

Even after the latticed bodies had shriveled up, the basal cup
(volva) still glistens with its own beautiful lattice work.

Class: Homobasidiomycetae (substantial mushrooms)

Basidiomycota (spores produced on basidia)Subclass: Gasteromycetes (spores grow internally)

Order: Phallales (stinkhorns): Family: Clathraceae (branched or latticed)

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Credits:: Collaboration and inspiration thanks to Susan Kornfeld; Early PhotoCD scans by Alpha CD Imaging, Menlo Park, CA; Special thanks to Claire Doyle Ragin for scanning some early photos; Internet service by Pair Networks